JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Whooping cough cases in Mississippi are on the rise, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH).

According to the agency, 58 cases have been reported this year as of May 19, 2025. Out of the 58 cases, eight are in District 5, which includes Hinds, Copiah and Simpson counties.

Children under the age of five are the most at-risk of contracting the disease, also known as pertussis. However, teenagers and adults also have to take precautions.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson said early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to a common cold. However, whooping cough is characterized by a consistent cough that lasts more than two weeks.

“Oftentimes, the patients will have a coughing spell that is so severe that they end up vomiting afterwards. And in smaller kids, you can even see what we call apnea periods where the infant will stop breathing,” said Dotson.

Depending on the severity of the case, some people recover in about a week. However, those who have more severe cases could develop pneumonia.